Probe Over Child’s Care Backs Hospital

Closing an investigation that began in July, state officials have determined that Ventura County Medical Center properly cared for a 1-year-old Oxnard girl who suffered from a flesh-eating bacteria.

“The investigation was limited to the complaint and the complaint was whether the county handled the case appropriately,” said Lea Brooks, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health Services. The complaint was filed after questions were raised by the child’s grandmother.

Brooks said the hospital’s care of Rosa Olvera--who later was treated at Northridge Hospital Medical Center--was appropriate at all levels.

The state began looking into the matter after Rosa’s family raised concerns about her initial treatment and delayed diagnosis.

When her parents brought Rosa to the county’s emergency room June 29, doctors did not diagnose the problem as necrotizing fasciitis, a potentially fatal disease in which bacteria eat away at flesh.

Hospital staff members diagnosed the disease during the baby’s second visit July 2.

Rosa later underwent a series of skin grafts at Northridge Hospital.

Richard Ashby, medical director of the Ventura County hospital, said, “Even looking back and knowing what the condition was, there was no way we could have made that diagnosis during the first visit.”

Ashby said he was pleased the state confirmed the results of its own internal investigation, which concluded that staff members had handled the incident appropriately.

“Right from the beginning I stated how proud we were of the care our folks gave to Baby Rosa,” Ashby said. “So it’s gratifying the state reviewing it has confirmed our own observation.”

Rosa was released from the hospital on her first birthday, Aug. 7.